The Vuelta a España showcases extreme cycling. But behind the performances of Pogacar and van Aert lie valuable lessons for your own training.
The Vuelta a España demands everything from the pros. Steep ramps, extreme heat and countless metres of climbing characterise the race. But you do not have to be a pro to learn from the tactics and mistakes of the stars on the tough mountain stages. The events surrounding the seventh stage to Aramón Valdelinares offer plenty of lessons for your own training and your next ride in the mountains.
A major topic among the pros is confidence in their own abilities. Wout van Aert went on the offensive right from kilometre zero on the seventh stage to secure important points for the green jersey. In the end, he finished third, but at the finish line, according to reports from Radsport-News and Cyclingnews, he struggled with himself: he had lacked confidence for the final climb and underestimated the competition. Instead of acting more tactically, he invested a huge amount of energy early on.
For you, this means: know your limits, but do not underestimate yourself either. If you have a long climb ahead of you, a realistic plan helps. Do not get carried away by faster riders, but find your own rhythm. If you overpace too early, you will pay double at the end – but if you do not challenge yourself at all, you will not reach your full potential.
How important teamwork and the right tactics are was demonstrated by the Norwegian team Uno-X Mobility. Andreas Leknessund and Tobias Halland Johannessen secured a double victory. Johannessen held back in the final, let the decisive gap open up and thus secured the emotional victory for his teammate. Team Decathlon-CMA CGM also showed courage: they did not hide behind the dominant team of overall leader Tadej Pogacar, but set the pace themselves on the final climb to put the competition under pressure.
It is similar in recreational sports: riding together is easier. Use the slipstream in the group, take turns at the front and communicate. A well-functioning team saves an enormous amount of energy, which you can use for yourself on the climb.
That even the best riders in the world make mistakes was shown by Tadej Pogacar on the sixth stage. As Cyclingnews reported, the overall leader poured his water over his head for cooling and was left without a filled bottle for the last 24 kilometres. A risky undertaking in the extreme heat. Pogacar afterwards openly admitted that lacking water in the final is extremely painful.
For your training, this means: fueling and hydration must be on point from the start. Do not wait until thirst or the bonk hits. Especially on hot days and during long climbs, regular drinking and carbohydrate intake are mandatory to prevent drops in performance.
Your takeaway: Pace yourself wisely on the climb, fuel in good time and use the dynamics of the group to save energy.
This article was generated automatically with AI from the sources listed above and has not been editorially reviewed.